How to apply for a Grubhub delivery driver job

Driving for Grubhub is an excellent way to earn money while setting your own schedule.

The company processes over 715,000 daily orders and has sent over five billion dollars in tips to Grubhub drivers. This makes Grubhub a leading food delivery service.

However, it can be challenging to figure out how to get started driving for Grubhub and what exactly being an independent contractor means.

In this article, we’ll explain how you can begin driving for Grubhub. We’ll also share what its onboarding process is like, what kind of money you can expect to earn, and some tips for maximizing your earnings.

What is Grubhub?

Grubhub was founded in 2004 by Matt Maloney. It's a food delivery service with over 320,000 restaurant partners.

Customers can order meals online or via an app and have the food delivered to their doors. The company has over 32 million diners, and the service is available in more than 4,000 US cities.

There is a range of different jobs available. If you're looking for a flexible work schedule and you have reliable transport, you can apply for a delivery driver position. Drivers often fit this gig work around family commitments, studies, or other jobs.

Alternatively, there are full-time and part-time roles in Grubhub's care, finance, logistics, marketing, sales, people, and other departments.

Grubhub has positive company values. It supports its drivers, employees, partners, and customers. Plus, it gives back to the local community. The brand has donated more than 25 million dollars to 23 charities.

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Grubhub's main competitors are Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Postmates.

What do you need to work for Grubhub?

If you want to work at Grubhub, there are a few things you'll need. The exact requirements will depend on the delivery role that you're applying for.

Food delivery drivers need a car, driver's license, and valid auto insurance. In some delivery locations, you can use a bike instead. Knowledge of the local area and confidence while driving will help you navigate busy streets.

A smartphone and internet connection are required to accept delivery jobs.

You'll have a flexible schedule as a delivery driver, so you should be motivated and able to work independently. Previous delivery experience can also be beneficial, but it's not essential.

Grubhub relies on its team, so you should be a team player. Organization, communication, and attention to detail are all important.

Why you should consider driving for Grubhub

Grubhub is a leading food delivery service in the US. It's now a household name, and it's always on the lookout for new delivery drivers.

Grubhub has a more flexible hiring policy than some of its competing brands.

Here are some of the top reasons to consider becoming a Grubhub gig delivery driver:

1. Low minimum age requirement

Grubhub has a lower minimum age requirement than most of its competitors. In most areas, the minimum age for a delivery person is just 19. There's one exception, and that is Chicago, where the minimum age is 21.

Compare this to Uber Eats and Lyft, where the minimum age is 21 everywhere. Other food delivery companies only accept applicants over 23.

If you're under 21 and want to make some extra cash, Grubhub is an option.

2. A supportive work environment

Grubhub has been around for over 15 years, and it’s a trusted company. You'll get the support of a passionate team and a straightforward signup process.

Grubhub values its gig economy drivers. Working for this on-demand food delivery service comes with other perks.

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For example, Grubhub has a recognition program. Drivers with a good delivery rate and high reliability get access to higher-paying orders.

3. A flexible schedule

One of the main reasons people work for Grubhub is the flexibility it offers. You can pick your own hours and work day or night.

You can work a few hours a week or on a full-time basis. When you need to make more money than usual for unexpected expenses, you can take more shifts.

4. Transparent pay

Pricing is transparent for your delivery earnings. You'll get delivery pay, which is made up of your base pay and bonuses.

If you meet the minimum eligibility requirements, you'll still get paid a minimum rate even if work is slow. Plus, you get to keep 100% of your tips.

How to begin driving for Grubhub

Want to give it a try? Here’s how you can get started driving for Grubhub.

1. Find out if Grubhub is available in your area

You can’t drive for Grubhub if it isn’t available in your city. Head over to Grubhub’s delivery page to check if they deliver in your area.

Most cities are accounted for — think New York, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco — but smaller towns may be left out.

2. Meet the minimum requirements

While minimum requirements can vary based on the city, Grubhub's hiring process is usually the same.

You’ll need to pass a background check, have two years of driving experience, a valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and a checking account for direct deposit.

If you deliver orders on a non-motorized vehicle (or if you’ll be walking), you don’t need a license. However, you’ll still need a valid state ID.

3. Fill out the online form

Head over to the Grubhub for Drivers page and fill out the initial form. You must provide your full name, email address, and phone number.

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You’ll also need to decide how you’ll be delivering your orders — by car, scooter, walking, motorcycle or bike. Note that not all transportation methods are available for all cities.

Once you do so, you’ll get access to the full application.

4. Complete the application

The rest of the application is fairly straightforward. Just select the area you want to deliver in, followed by your second and third choices.

Then you fill out a brief questionnaire asking for your address, and the type of smartphone you have.

There may be additional questions depending on your city.

For example:

• Why do you want to drive for Grubhub?

• Are you comfortable communicating directly with independent restaurants and customers?

• How many hours are you available each week?

5. Provide your account information and begin the onboarding process

The onboarding process begins with a slideshow that all new Grubhub drivers are required to view. It details how to make deliveries, as well as the following:

• An introduction to the company

• Getting started with Grubhub

• Scheduling time blocks

• Making deliveries

• Some “tips and tricks” from current high-performing Grubhub drivers

• How drivers are paid

You’ll also have to verify your vehicle during this step. There's a section to upload a photo or scan of your vehicle registration and insurance.

They also ask for your social security number. By providing this information, you consent to a background check.

You’re done with onboarding once you complete the steps above. The final thing to do is receive an insulated Grubhub bag, which they’ll mail to you following the completion of your online orientation.

Once that’s received, you’re ready to begin driving for Grubhub.

6. Download the delivery app

You’ll receive an email from Grubhub with a link to download the Grubhub driver app. You can also find it in the app store by searching for “Grubhub for drivers.”

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Simply log into the app using the same information you signed up with, and you’re good to go.

7. Begin making deliveries

The pick-up and delivery process is simple and easy to follow.

The process goes like this:

1. Go Online. You can schedule your deliveries or go online at any time by opening the Grubhub Driver app. You’ll start receiving pings from the closest restaurants.

2. Accept Deliveries. When a delivery order becomes available, you have 45 seconds to accept the order. If you don’t accept in time, the offer will go to another driver in the area.

3. Pick Up The Order. Once you arrive at the restaurant, make sure you double-check the customer’s order before you confirm the pick-up. Grubhub is a cashless app, and depending on the restaurant, the customer either pays for the order directly through the Grubhub App. Or, you’ll use your prepaid Driver Card to complete the order.

4. Deliver. After the order has been picked up, you’ll deliver it to the customer. If there's a contact-free delivery request, you'll need to leave the food without waiting.

5. Complete and Confirm. Once you’ve finished and completed the delivery, confirm that the order has been delivered to the customer. The app will show you the total you’ve earned from the current delivery.

Tips for your Grubhub application

If you want to work for Grubhub, take your time filling out the application. Check your details for correctness so that you can be contacted easily.

Is your car your delivery method of choice? Make sure it's reliable and well-maintained before you apply. You'll need valid auto insurance, and you should give your insurance company a call to make sure gig work is covered.

Prefer to ride? Check that your bike is in good working order, and buy a well-fitting helmet.

Think about the area you want to work in. Choose locations that are close to you, because you'll be responsible for your gas and vehicle maintenance.

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Be honest about your availability. While full-time availability may look good in your application, this is a flexible role, so you do have options. If you know you can only work two nights a week, you should make that clear.

What you need to know about working as an independent contractor

More Americans are turning to freelance work as a primary source of income.

While working for Grubhub sounds appealing, there are a few risks that come with working as a freelancer.

As an independent contractor, you don’t usually qualify for company benefits, such as health insurance and retirement plans.

On top of that, you’re responsible for any expenses that come along with the gig. This includes gas, parking, and maintenance on your vehicle.

​​To be successful as an independent contractor, you'll need to be hardworking and self-motivated. A good delivery rate and positive relationships with delivery partners will help you get noticed. When you're reliable, you can get larger catering orders that pay more.

As an independent contractor, you get to pick your own hours and decide what orders you want to deliver. So, it’s a trade-off. Only you can decide if that’s worth it.

How is Grubhub pay calculated?

In general, Grubhub determines a driver’s pay using the following formula:

Per-order rate + $0.50 per mile from the restaurant to the customer + 100% of your tips

The per-order rate varies based on the market. Cities with a higher cost of living will have a higher per-order rate.

Overall, when you drive for Grubhub, you can expect to make approximately $12.00 per hour before tips. What you end up making per trip will vary depending on the following:

• Miles: Expect to make around 22 cents per mile (depending on your market) for the miles you drive. This includes the distance traveled to the pick-up location and to the drop-off location.

• Time spent: You won’t always be driving, and Grubhub knows that. You’ll make 13 cents per minute you spend waiting and driving.

• Tips: As a Grubhub driver, you get 100% of the tips customers provide.

Your market may qualify you for a set minimum wage (usually around $11 per hour). If you make less, Grubhub will cover the difference.

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Every Grubhub delivery driver receives special offers based on where they drive.

For example, you could receive an offer for GasBuddy that offers 25 cents back per gallon of gas. Other offers include 15% off services at JiffyLube, healthcare plan discounts from Stride Health, and up to 50% off Intuit QuickBooks to make tax season easier.

How can I maximize my earnings?

Let’s take a look at how you can maximize your earnings while driving for Grubhub.

1. Schedule delivery blocks ahead of time

Scheduling block times is optional, but we highly recommend it. Every Grubhub driver who schedules blocks will get priority over drivers who don’t.

Sometimes, a Grubhub driver will drop their blocks. They then become available for other drivers, so keep a lookout for dropped blocks if you’re unable to claim a spot.

Grubhub uses the block method to avoid oversaturation of drivers. This also guarantees that there are drivers on-call during busy periods.

2. Operate in an area with a high volume of orders

The more orders you can complete, the more you can earn.

A massive advantage of driving and delivering for Grubhub is that it fields both Grubhub and Seamless delivery requests, automatically doubling your potential order numbers.

3. Provide excellent customer service

When you give great customer service, you can make extra cash through tips.

Checking the accuracy of each order and making sure food is left in good condition will help you stand out. Be friendly and courteous when dealing with customers. The happier the customer, the higher the tip.

Grubhub allows drivers with a higher “level” to schedule their delivery blocks before other drivers.

Drivers who can get Premier status are entitled to a load of perks, such as getting first access to large catering orders. Getting large catering orders is like hitting the jackpot for drivers. You’ll get a large order fee, and tips are usually generous.

4. Get to the top of the driver rankings

Grubhub has a delivery partner ranking system that’s updated every thirty days. As mentioned, Premier drivers get first access to scheduling blocks, driver rewards, and catering orders.

You gain or lose points toward your ranking based on the quality of your delivery service. If you decline too many orders or drop your schedule block, you’ll lose the acceptance rate. This will affect your overall score and result in a lower place in the rankings.

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However, depending on your area, this may not matter all that much. As a delivery worker, you may find more success picking and choosing more lucrative deliveries, while others earn more by accepting every offer and becoming a premier Grubhub driver.

It depends on your area. The key is to experiment.

Where to get a Grubhub job

Looking for a delivery job? Grubhub is a great option for motivated gig delivery drivers.

To get started, browse Grubhub positions on our job board. If you want to see which other delivery apps are hiring in your area, browse delivery driver jobs. Sign up for Jobcase to set up job alerts and chat about delivery driving in your community.

Alternatively, you can head to the Grubhub website and view the driver section. You'll need to sign up for an account and enter a few details. While you're there, you can read more about payment options, driver levels, and what you need to get the job.

Become a Grubhub driver today

Working as a Grubhub driver can be a flexible and rewarding job.

You’ll get a steady stream of orders and can work whenever you please. It’s an excellent side-hustle for extra money or a full-time job. All you need is a vehicle, a valid driver’s license, and insurance.

Grubhub is a company that stands out. It has a lower minimum age requirement than similar gig economy brands. It also has a supportive work environment with flexible work options. Plus, Grubhub has transparent pay, and tips are 100% yours to keep.

You can maximize your earnings by providing excellent customer service. Choosing the right delivery location is key, as is building your driver ranking. Scheduling blocks ahead of time will show Grubhub that you're reliable, which can open up new opportunities.

If this type of job suits your lifestyle, you can browse delivery driver jobs on our job board.

For more tips on finding a job, you can visit Jobcase’s Getting Hired Resource Center.